Heat Damage Rehab: A 12‑Week Plan — Deep Dive #2

Heat Damage Rehab: A 12‑Week Plan — Deep Dive #2. If your routine feels random, this turns it into repeatable steps you can actually keep.

The core idea: fewer, better steps. Cleanse the scalp well, condition until slip, style on soaking-wet hair, then hands-off until dry.

Steps

1. Apply leave-in on soaking-wet hair
2. Cleanse the scalp; avoid roughing up lengths
3. Detangle with water + conditioner in sections
4. Soak thoroughly before applying anything
5. Dry hands-off; break the cast only when fully dry
6. Layer gel/foam; rake then scrunch

Toolkit

• Microfiber towel or T-shirt
• Hard-hold gel or mousse for humidity
• Chelating/clarifying shampoo (as needed)
• Deep conditioner/mask (monthly)
• Wide-tooth comb or flexible brush
• Satin/silk pillowcase or bonnet

“Hands-off until fully dry is half the battle.”

Example

For winter: reduce humectants, use richer emollients, and seal ends lightly; diffuse on low heat to avoid damp frizz.

Science angle: porosity governs water movement; humectants pull moisture; film-formers create a cast; proteins patch weak spots temporarily.

Porosity & Climate Notes

• Humidity: pair humectants with film-formers
• High porosity: seal ends; more frequent masks

Related Articles

• Porosity 101: Test Methods & Meaning
• Winter Care: Emollients, Occlusives, Humectants — Playbook #2
• Red Hair Care: Color-Safe Tips — Playbook #2
• Choosing a Diffuser: Shapes That Matter

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